offensive (offensives plural )
1 adj Something that is offensive upsets or embarrasses people because it is rude or insulting.
Some friends of his found the play horribly offensive., ...offensive remarks which called into question the integrity of my firm.
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offensively adv ADV after v, ADV adj
The group who had been shouting offensively opened to let her through...
2 n-count A military offensive is a carefully planned attack made by a large group of soldiers.
oft supp N
Its latest military offensive against rebel forces is aimed at re-opening important trade routes...
3 n-count If you conduct an offensive, you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something.
usu supp N
Republicans acknowledged that they had little choice but to mount an all-out offensive on the Democratic nominee.
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charm offensive
4 If you go on the offensive, go over to the offensive, or take the offensive, you begin to take strong action against people who have been attacking you.
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go on the offensive phrase V inflects
The West African forces went on the offensive in response to attacks on them..., The Foreign Secretary has decided to take the offensive in the discussion on the future of the community.